The Sri Kuruvatti Basaveshwara and Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Kuruvatti is located in the village of Kuruvatti in the Huvina Hadagali taluk of Vijayanagara district in the state of Karnataka. It is one of the oldest and historic temples in the region.
The temple is about 315 km from Bangalore and 56 km from Davangere. And it is 39 km away from Haveri city. Huvina Hadagali city is 40 km away by bus route and 31 km from Ranebennur railway station.
Kuruvatti means cowherd’s hut, the name Kuruvatti is derived from Kuru+vatti. Because it is believed that Basaveshwara/Nandi heals the sufferings of Kuruba devotees.
Sri Kuruvatti Basaveshwara Temple
Sri Kuruvathi Basaveswaraswamy is an idol in the form of Nandi. The holy temple is dedicated to Nandi in the form of a basava. It is believed that Lord Nandi came here in search of Lord Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy, found Sri Mallikarjuna on the banks of river Tungabhadra, sat in front of him and started worshiping him.
Sri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple is about 600 years old, built during the Vijayanagara Empire and is situated at an altitude of 515 meters above sea level. Nandi, also known as Basaveshwara or Basavanna, is believed by the followers to be very benevolent, benevolent to devotees and fulfill their wishes. Lord Basaveshwara Swamy is worshiped here as the main deity in Kuruvatti. The idol of Lord Basaveshwara at Kuruvatti is 10 feet long and 9 feet high.
The temple consists of navaranga and rangamantapa connecting garbhagriha, sukanasi, garbhagudi and outer mandapam. The mandapa is built on square or polygonal pillars with carved stages four to five feet high and has stepped entrances on all four sides decorated with miniature elephants or beasts. The pavilions are supported by ornate pillars.
Devotees from all over Karnataka and other states visit this place during the Utsav/Rathotsava held during Maha Shivratri. This chariot here does not move until Magha Nakshatra aligns. After the star alignment, devotees are able to pull the chariot by chanting the mantras “Jaya Namah Pravati Pathe Hara Hara Maha Deva”, “Om Namah Shivaya” and “Om Sri Kuruvatti Basaveshvaraya Namah”.
Kuruvatti Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is about 900 years old and was built in the 12th century during the Western Chalukya period in the typical style of Kalyanichalukya architecture. It is a temple opposite to Sri Kuruvathi Basaveshwara Swamy Temple. The Shivalinga is 4 feet tall.
It is said that Sri Mallikarjuna Swamy killed the demons and appeared in the form of Linga at this place. The temple has three navarangas connecting the mahamantapa, garbhagudi and hora mantapa, and the rangamantapa, three doorways and garbhagrihas. There are three entrances each of which is beautifully incarnated with traditional designs influenced by Western Chalukya architecture. The idol of Sri Bhuvaneshwari Devi is beautifully enshrined at the main gate. The Rangamantapa has 12 pillars triangular in three directions and is 8 feet high and 4 feet wide, where 5 feet high idols of Ganesha and Subrahmanya can also be found.
Special pujas are performed as a festival to Basaveshwara Swami in Kartika. Holi and ghee are offered as offerings to Lord Nandi and as a special puja to Mallikarjuna Swami Maha Rahotsava Utsav is held on Maha Shivratri Amavasya day during February-March.
